Real-Life Examples of Symmetry

Various examples of symmetry as observed in our life include:

Symmetry in Design and Technology

Integrated Circuits: The layout or arrangement of components on integrated circuits (IC) usually relies on symmetry to optimize its performance and minimize interference, which increases the overall efficiency of electronic devices.

Symmetrical Logos: Many brands use symmetrical designs in their company logos to bring feelings of balance, structure, stability, and aesthetic appeal, influencing consumer perceptions and brand recognition.

Companies such as w3wiki, Motorola, McDonalds, and Volkswagen all have a symmetrical logo.

Symmetry in Nature

Snowflakes: A snowflake is a single ice crystal having 6 similar arms with a unique and stunning work of art, that shows six-fold radial symmetry.

Butterfly Wings: Butterfly wings show reflection symmetry because when a butterfly folds its wings it is easy to see that their wings are of the same shape and a nearly perfect mirror image of the other wing.

Symmetry in Architecture

Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world which is a perfect symmetrical planned building. If you draw an imaginary vertical line through the middle part of the Taj Mahal, you will notice that each side looks exactly the same because of reflectional symmetry.

Geometric Tiles: Almost we all have seen so many architectural designs in many places where geometric patterns are used across surfaces like floors and walls. Tessellations or tiling is used to create very beautiful symmetrical geometric patterns.

Symmetry in Art and Design

Architecture Design: Our ancestors have been using geometric designs to make different types of architecture since thousands of years ago. The use of these geometric designs is seen in many Islamic architectures which usually emphasize symmetry, reflecting the mathematical preciseness and aesthetic balance.

Kaleidoscope Patterns: A kaleidoscope has mirrors inside it which produce images that have multiple lines of symmetry. Kaleidoscope show rotational symmetry because the colors and shapes replicate symmetrically around a central point.

Symmetry in Biology

Human Body: You might have noticed a very familiar symmetry, the symmetry of the right and left sides of the human body. The transformation that gives this symmetry is reflection by an imaginary mirror that slices vertically through the body. The human body shows bilateral symmetry, which is also known as mirror symmetry.

Floral Symmetry: Floral symmetry means how the flowers can be divided into different mirror-image parts. Flowers generally show radial and bilateral symmetry, with petals symmetrically arranged at the central point. The flowers that shows radial symmetry are sunflowers, lilies, wild roses, daisies, etc.

Examples of Symmetry can be easily observed by those around us in our regular lives. From butterflies to flowers, from buildings and other things in nature symmetry is found everywhere. In this article, we will discuss symmetry with its real-life examples. But before diving into the topic we will first discuss what symmetry is, and where it is observed, and at last, we’ll see some frequently asked questions (FAQs).